Vesta's Corner
Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
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Bytes and Pieces
Canadian Centennial of Flight OTTAWA - The Canadian Centennial of Flight Board of Directors and Hawk One team officially launched a commemorative project Saturday, September 20th to mark 100 years of powered flight that Canadians can celebrate throughout 2009. During a press conference held at the Vintage Wings of Canada in Gatineau, P.Q., Colonel (retired) Chris Hadfield, Canadian Space Agency astronaut and former CF-18 fighter pilot, addressed a crowd of aviation enthusiasts of all ages by unveiling Hawk One, a Centennial of Flight project involving the resurrection of a fully restored Canadair F-86 Sabre 5 that will fly across the country in 2009 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada. Colonel Hadfield was joined by members of the Hawk One team and Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame member, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Fern Villeneuve, the original leader of the RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team. The project has a very nice website where you can get more information, photos and timeline. Click on the image to the left or visit www.hackone.ca |
Readers Feedback
Jim Jardine was prompted to send us this information after reading the article in NetLetter nr 1045 Subject: Aeroflot map, regarding the photo of CF-TJP fin 816 shown in front of the terminal at Sheremietievo airport Moscow, I recalled that in my memorabilia bin is a copy of a very early flight planning chart that Aeroflot used to navigate from Moscow to Montreal. In those days, they were not permitted to fly across Europe and had to fly north of the Scandinavian countries until established over international waters at 71°40'N 32°00'E. I have attached a partial scan of the map which I rescued from the trash because all of the geographical names are in the Cyrillic alphabet (Montreal is at the bottom, left). Unfortunately, there is no date on it but it must have been to be from late 1966 or early 1967. Regrettably the map is not in good shape, being frayed at some edges with a couple of tears in it. Brgds, Jim Jardine, Retired Manager, Aeronautical Services, Dorval PS. I enjoy receiving the Netletter very much. I started with TCA in 1961, so many memories are revived with each issue. David McNeilly pointed out this typo in NetLetter nr 1045 Subject: re: First flights...I do not believe the first flight from Toronto to Chicago on a DC3 was in 1966. I think we have a typo here. David (The first DC-3 flight to Chicago was Toronto-London-Chicago on July 1st 1946.- eds) George Brien has sent us some more information on Fredericton operations. Here is some background re first TCA flights into YFC: An earlier NetLetter carried a picture of the first TCA flight into YFC in 1952. Now here is the "rest of the story" From the Saint John Telegraph Journal Dec 7 , 1951 T.C.A soon to start Fredericton service TCA shortly will begin a new service into Fredericton NB. The service will be established at Lincoln Airport. The Transportation Department announced today decision by the Air Transport Board to issue new licenses to make the changeover. Transport Minister Chevier said in a statement that the changes "would be in the best interest of the public and commercial aviation" generally in establishing a more balanced relationship between mainline and local services and providing a continuing pattern for the development of scheduled services of both TCA and MCA within the Maritime Provinces. At Saint John last night, Hugh M McElliott, TCA District Traffic and Sales Manager for southern NB , said that the new service to Lincoln Airport will be started as soon as possible , early in the new year, and initially it will include one flight east and one west daily of the mainline transcontinental service. Lincoln is expected to be added to a stop on one of the Montreal St. John's flights already landing at Moncton. (photo above) Inaugural TCA flight into YFC, Feb 1 ,1952. Capt C M Harper F/O S W MacPherson Stew S E Kerr in front of their DC3 Original TCA ground staff included Station Manager Wils Himmelman , Operations Agents Jack Geldart, John Gandy, and Lou Releeder. FROM The Telegraph Journal Feb 1 1952 W. G. Himmelman, newly appointed Station Manager for Trans-Canada Air Lines, Fredericton, is a native Maritimer, having been born in Lunenburg, N.S. His early experience was gained with the Department of Transport radio division and American Airlines and he joined TCA as a Radio operator at Windsor, Ont in 1942. Mr Himmelman was subsequently transferred to Halifax and was later appointed Station Manager at Yarmouth N.S., when service was Inaugurated through that station in Apr 1947. He has had the benefit of a wide experience in the aviation industry, particularly in the growth and expansion of Maritime services and this will be assistance in the development of the airlines operation in Fredericton. George goes on to add In recent correspondence with retired Maritime Central Airways Capt Bob Graham, he tells me that he began flying with M.C.A. back in April 1951, flying right seat with Capt George Edwards on the Lockheed 10. They were already using the new YFC airport on the mostly airmail route YQM/YFC/YSJ with a 0800 to 1600 layover in YSJ at the old "Millidgeville Airport". He also notes that Jack Geldart, one of the first TCA agents at YFC was his "cousin". T.C.A would have to wait until ten months later before they could start up scheduled service., as they awaited the move and installation of Radio Range Navigational equipment that was moved over from Blissville. George Brien Jim Griffith has sent us this feedback regarding the article in NetLetter nr 1044 There is controversy whether the Silver Dart was the first flight in the British Empire. The Brits Claim that William Cody was, in October 1908 in England. At the time, however, a successful flight of an a/c was defined as a take off, level flight and landing under its own power without mishap. Cody's flight ended in a crash with substantial damage to the a/c. If you check the Alexander Graham Bell museum web site you will see that, in true Canadian fashion, they are going to change the plaque to reflect that in fact the Silver Dart was not the first powered flight in The British Empire but rather the first flight in Canada, caving in to the British view of things. I can't understand why the Canadian psyche is so intent on underrating all our accomplishments. We are trying to get sponsors, (Air Canada or anybody else), to help us get to Baddeck so we can fly our Silver Dart. Wings Canada, and Fly Past magazine are going to include us in their up coming editions and frankly we need all the exposure we can get to help us get sponsors. Jim can be contacted at: |
This & That
Here is a continuation of the information from NetLetter nr 1044 by William J Cameron
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame was originally established in Edmonton, Alberta in 1973, and remained there for eighteen years; until finding a permanent home in 1992, within the aviation hangar at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The aviation hangar features large display panels describing the lives and aviation achievements of every Inducted Member including J.A.D. McCurdy; Gordon McGregor; Grant McConachie, "bush pilot with a briefcase"; Max Ward, founder of Wardair; Mel Knox; Rex Terpening; Claude Taylor; S/L Len Birchall - "The Saviour of Ceylon", and Rosella Bjornson - the first woman to be promoted to Captain with a major Canadian Airline; and the names and stories of more than two hundred other outstanding people of Canadian Aviation. The contributions made by Canada's flying elite are preserved in the Hall of Fame through the display of personal biographies, records, artifacts, and aircraft. Along with the member's panels there are twenty significant aircraft on public display within the Aviation Hanger, and a further eighty historical aircraft not currently on display in the collection storage facility of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum - including one of two full-scale mock-ups of the CF-105 Avro Arrow. Unfortunately, the existence of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is all too little known by the general public of Canada; and even more regrettably is almost unknown to many of us who worked with, and whose lives were touched by some of those who are honoured in Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame today. Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preserving and publicizing the names and deeds of those people who have made a significant contribution to Canadian Aviation. Some grants and corporate contributions assist in the financial operation of the Hall of Fame, but to ensure the future long-term viability of the Hall of Fame there is a great need for a wider participation by all Canadians - especially those of us who have been fortunate to have directly participated in Canada's 100 years of Aviation history. The Board of Directors of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame invites you to become a "Friend of The Hall" - for a one-year donation of $50.00 CDN, and receive a one-year subscription to The Flyer, Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame newsletter. Contact: Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame P.O. Box 6360 Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G1 Telephone (780) 361-1351 Ext. 241 Email - (submitted by William J. Cameron, Okotoks, AB - AC Retiree) |
Terry's Travel Tips
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is pleased to be the first major airport in Canada to offer free wireless access to the Internet (WiFi) throughout our terminals,both pre- and post-security. |
Smilies
Found this on the www.acfamily.net forum placed by "Rapidair" CMWA Group Leader -Poem For Airline Employees Last night as I lay sleeping I died, or so it seemed. Then I went to heaven. But only in my dream. Up there St Peter met me standing at the pearly gates. He said, 'I'll check your record...please stand right here and wait.' He turned and said 'dear friend, your record's full of flaws'. On earth I see you rallied for every losing cause. I also see that you drank booze and smoked and partied too. Fact is, you've done most everything a good person should never do. We can't have people like you up here. Your life was full of sin. Then he read the last of my record, took my hand and said, 'Come in. He led me up to the Chief of Heaven, 'Saying take him in and treat him well, he used to work in the Airline Industry ...he's done his time in hell.' |